Plea and sentencing details

He said the murder had been organised by Shrien Dewani, 32, and taxi driver Zola Tongo and Xolile Mngeni had also taken part.

Mr Mngeni has a malignant brain tumour that has stopped him going on trial.

Defence lawyer Daniel Theunissen told the high court in Cape Town that Qwabe had agreed to plead guilty to kidnapping, robbery, murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

Prosecutor Eric Ntbazalila welcomed Qwabe's admission.

"It's a positive step for the prosecution because we are now a step closer to getting information on what happened on that day, which will shed some light on the role played by Shrien Dewani," he is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.

We are going through legal tortureAshok Hindocha, Anni Dewani's uncle

In March, the High Court in London temporarily halted Mr Dewani's extradition. He has been diagnosed as suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

His lawyers want proceedings to be halted for a year to give him time to recover.

The case in the UK is due to resume in September.

Mr Dewani owns a care home in Bristol, in the west of England, where the couple lived before Mrs Dewani was killed.

Mrs Dewani's uncle Ashok Hindocha said her family was happy with Qwabe's plea but still wanted to know why she was killed.

"The way we feel is that we are going through legal torture. It is extremely stressful for the family," he said.

Shortly after the murder in November 2010, Tongo confessed to killing Mrs Dewani.

Tongo said Mr Dewani offered him about $2,100 (£1,340) to arrange the killing and make it look like a carjacking.

He was sentenced to 18 years in prison following a plea bargain.

Mr Dewani faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and obstructing the administration of justice.